CAF Drops the Bombshell: Orlando Pirates’ Continental Ranking Exposed — Climbing from the Abyss or Stuck in Mid-Table Mediocrity? Don’t Hold Your Breath!

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has once again unveiled its club rankings ahead of the 2025-26 season, offering a revealing snapshot of where Africa’s top teams stand in continental football.

Among the powerhouses like Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates occupy the 15th position — a figure that reflects both recent improvements and lingering struggles in CAF competitions.

Al Ahly, the Egyptian giants, unsurprisingly top the rankings.

Their consistent success in the CAF Champions League, boasting the most titles on the continent, keeps them at the summit despite not winning the latest edition.

Their regular deep runs in tournaments ensure a steady accumulation of ranking points, underscoring the value of consistency over sporadic triumphs.

Just behind Al Ahly are South Africa’s own Mamelodi Sundowns, ranked second.

Despite a drought in Champions League titles since 2016, Sundowns’ recent finals appearance and strong performances have boosted their standing.

Their ambition to finally clinch the trophy again this season is palpable, as they look to convert near-misses into silverware.

Orlando Pirates’ placement at 15th signals a mixed bag.

On the one hand, it’s an improvement from previous years when they languished near 21st place, reflecting their recent semi-final appearance in CAF competition.

On the other hand, it highlights a broader issue: Pirates have struggled to maintain consistent continental presence and success.

This ranking is calculated based on performances over the last five seasons, with points awarded for progression in CAF tournaments.

Crucially, only results from the group stages onward count significantly, meaning early eliminations in preliminary rounds yield zero points.

Pirates’ history of early exits in recent campaigns has severely limited their points haul.

Breaking down Pirates’ recent continental record reveals the challenge.

In the 2019-20 season, they failed to make an impact, earning no points.

The following seasons saw incremental improvement with two points in 2020-21 and four points in 2021-22.

However, the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons were marred by preliminary round exits, yielding zero points and stalling their rise.

Last season’s semi-final run added four points, nudging them up to 30 total points — enough to claim 15th place.

Yet, this is still far from the top-tier clubs.

To climb higher, Pirates must consistently reach the latter stages of CAF competitions and accumulate more points than rivals.

The points system itself is weighted heavily towards success in the CAF Champions League, which offers more points than the CAF Confederation Cup.

For example, winning the Champions League grants six points, being runners-up earns five, while a semi-final appearance yields four.

Confederation Cup successes yield fewer points, reflecting the hierarchy between the two competitions.

This system rewards consistent participation and advancement, which explains why clubs like Al Ahly and Sundowns maintain high rankings despite occasional setbacks.

Pirates’ fluctuating performances and frequent early eliminations have prevented them from gaining similar momentum.

The rankings also highlight the position of other South African teams.

Stellenbosch FC sits around 21st, while Kaizer Chiefs languish near 50th with just five points — a relic of their 2020-21 Champions League final appearance that will soon drop out of the five-year rolling calculation.

This rolling five-year system means that as older seasons fall off the ranking window, clubs must perform well in current campaigns to maintain or improve their position.

For Pirates, the upcoming 2025-26 season is critical.

If they can replicate or better last season’s semi-final showing, they stand a chance of climbing into the top 10 or beyond.

However, if they falter early again, the loss of points from older seasons will drag them back down, potentially reversing recent gains.

The pressure is on the club’s management, coaching staff, and players to deliver consistent continental performances.

The ramifications extend beyond prestige.

Higher CAF rankings influence seeding in future competitions, affecting the difficulty of group stage draws and preliminary rounds.

A higher ranking can ease a team’s path deeper into tournaments, while lower-ranked clubs face tougher early hurdles.

Moreover, continental success impacts club finances, sponsorships, and fan engagement.

For a storied club like Orlando Pirates, sustained absence from the latter stages risks eroding their stature both domestically and across Africa.

In summary, the CAF club rankings reveal a tale of two South African giants: Sundowns firmly entrenched among Africa’s elite, and Pirates fighting to regain lost ground.

The 15th place ranking is a step forward but underscores the need for sustained excellence.

As the 2025-26 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Orlando Pirates to see if they can translate potential into performance, climb the rankings ladder, and restore their place among African football’s best.

The challenge is steep, but the rewards — both tangible and intangible — are immense.

For Pirates and their supporters, the message is clear: push hard, push smart, and push consistently.

The continental stage awaits, and only those who rise to the occasion will write the next chapter in African football history.